Volcano · South Iceland
Hekla
stratovolcano in southern Iceland
Before you go
Stay on marked paths, leave no trace and close gates behind you. Driving off-road is illegal in Iceland.
Areas can be closed at short notice to protect them. Check the official page before travelling.
Warm up after: pools & lagoons with a visitor pass
Passes from ISK 7,900. Lagoons cost extra per visit.
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The best sights in each region, and where to soak afterwards.
Quick facts
- Hekla is 148 km from Reykjavík by road, about 3 h by car. The nearest road is about 3.9 km away.
- Hekla rises to 1,491 metres above sea level.
- The nearest town to Hekla is Hvolsvöllur.
- Hekla is a volcano in South Iceland.
The facts
| Elevation | 1,491 m |
|---|---|
| Nearest town | Hvolsvöllur |
| From Reykjavík | 148 km by road, about 3 h |
| Region | South Iceland |
| Coordinates | 63.9922° N, 19.6658° W |
Getting there
Directions go to the sight's mapped point. For a mountain, glacier or lake that can be well away from the road, so park only in marked areas and walk from there.
The nearest road is about 3.9 km away.
Questions people ask
What is Hekla?
Hekla is a volcano in South Iceland. It rises to 1,491 metres above sea level.
Where is Hekla?
Hekla is at 63.9922° N, 19.6658° W, in South Iceland. The nearest town is Hvolsvöllur. The nearest other sight on our map is Hellismannaleið, a hike about 9.5 km away in a straight line.
How far is Hekla from Reykjavík?
Hekla is 148 km from Reykjavík by road, about 3 h by car. The nearest road is about 3.9 km away.
How do I get to Hekla?
The Google Maps and Apple Maps directions on this page go to the mapped point of Hekla, not to a search for its name. The nearest town is Hvolsvöllur.
Does it cost anything to visit Hekla?
We have not verified a fee for Hekla. Some landowners charge for parking or entry, so check the signs on arrival. Iceland's right of public access comes with duties: stay on marked paths and leave no trace.
Where can you swim near Hekla?
The nearest place to get in warm water is World Class Hella & Pool, about 86 minutes' drive from Hekla. It is included on any LifePass, so there is nothing to pay at the door. Also within reach: World Class Selfoss & Pool (106 min).
Soak here afterwards
On the way back
- World Class Hella & Pool86 min driveIncluded on any LifePass
- World Class Selfoss & Pool106 min driveIncluded on any LifePass
Nearby sights
All sights →Straight-line distance, not driving distance.
HellismannaleiðHike · 9.5 kmCC BY-SA 3.0 · Photo: Bromr- FossabrekkurWaterfall · 9.9 kmCC BY-SA 3.0 · Photo: Bromr
TröllkonuhlaupWaterfall · 10 kmCC BY-SA 3.0 · Photo: BromrStórkonugrófCanyon · 12 km
ÞjófafossWaterfall · 12 kmCC BY-SA 3.0 · Photo: Grunkhead
BjólfellMountain · 13 kmCC BY-SA 3.0 · Photo: Hansueli Krapf This file was uploaded with Commonist.
Sources
Place data from OpenStreetMap and Wikidata. Photographs from Wikimedia Commons, credited individually.
- Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
- Wikidata (CC0-1.0)
- Wikipedia (CC-BY-SA-4.0)
© OpenStreetMap contributors, available under the Open Database License.